Questions .......??

Okay - You said I could post my questions, so here they are (at least what I can think of at this moment!) What about meds? Since most of us have HBP, diabeties, etc., were you able to take your meds after surgery? I am guess not, so how long was it before you are able to take your meds. I suffer from chronic, severe migraines and often need pain meds. What will I need to take with me to the hospital and for my few days in the motel before coming home? I know that I will bring a fan, pillows, books but not sure what else. Since I will not get to have the education seminar until the day before surgery and I have to travel for 3 hours to get there, I will just have to guess and rely on you wonderful people for what I might need to take. How long did you have to stay in the hospital after surgery? Just curious as I have to let my hubby know which days to take off from work. I am guessing that since my surgery will be on a Tuesday that I will get out of the hospital on Friday, possibly Thursday and have to stay in Coos Bay thru the weekend and then see Dr. T. on Monday. That is what I am going to work with at the moment anyway. Does that sound about right to everyone? Okay - I guess that is it for now, as my fingers are tired of typing!! I am sure I will think of more as soon as I post this! Thanks again for taking the time to read this and post. Have a great day everyone! Rachella

I too had HBP, diabetes, etc and quit taking all medications the day before I entered the hospital. I had Open RNY in Eugene 8/3/2004. My surgeon had me on insulin while I was in the hospital to keep my BG level although I still wonder how level. They would come in at 8AM take a finger stick then show up after 10AM with insulin, but really I used very little insulin as I was not eating until the afternoon of day 2 and then only broth and Boost (1oz at a time) so my BG were going to be pretty stable if a bit high due to the stress and insulin would keep it low. After surgery 3 1/2 days later my blood pressure was normal and so was my BG and I came home with pain pill prescription and that was it. I no longer take blood pressure medicine or any medication for diabetes. My BGs have never gone over 110 since the surgery except for one day when I was under severe physical stress and pain and they went up to 131 at the highest, but that was an extreme exception because I could not exercise for 2 - 3 days. If I exercise I stay under 100 most of the time. My understanding is that as I lose weight my BG will be stable on their own and this is the main reason I decided to have this surgery. Because I have arthritis in my knees my doctor after 6 weeks prescribed vioxx and I expect to stop taking that after a while even though I had arthritis due to structural damage to my knees not wear and tear due to weight issues (although that is certainly a factor). I would take a nice robe to the hospital - I did and it made me feel better as all I did pretty much was walk and sleep and I hate those hospital johnnies even though Sacred Heart did have them large enough for me. I took a book and my pda with my ebooks and didn't read at all cause all I did was sleep and walk. I took my cell phone to call home cause it was easier to hit speed dial than figure out the hospital phone I would wear a loose dress to the hospital as I wore pants and they filled me so full of fluids I weighed more leaving the hospital than I weighed going into it - it came off with in a week at home. I had to wear my robe home - glad I had a nice one Take loose nightgowns to the hotel. I really didn't want to wear anything around my waist for a week or so. I would take water for hotel after the hospital as I don't like city water - we have well water. Also take some protein you can mix with the powdered protein they give you so you have something to eat. I was try a few kinds before the surgery. I don't like milk and most protein is milk based, but I found fruit flavored protein that I could mix up and it was like punch even after adding the unflavored protein. Make sure the hotel has a refrigerator also or take your own cooler. I would take my pillows that I like to the hotel and ask and make sure the hotel does have a recliner or chair and ottoman cause I couldn't lay down flat for a few days. Take a book or two for the hotel but plan on sleeping most of the time - in between meals and drinking water as much as possible. Take a positve attitude cause I believe a lot of your recovery has to do with how you decide it is going to be. Some things are out of your control but your attitude isn't. I am not saying I wasn't sore and some days I was not a happy camper, but I decided I was going to have this surgery for me - no one else - and for my health and I had made the correct decision. Still feel that way.

Hi Rachella, Here are some things that I learned 1. On the day of your bowel prep,make sure you have baby wipes as things get tender. 2. If you eat red jello that day, dont worry if things come out red. It is not blood, just food dye. 3. Be prepared to start your monthly cycle (unless that is not an issue) as I did.. completely off schedule. 4. Bring carmex for your lips 5. I was in 3 nights, but one night was because I asked. 6. Ask if they have a "binder" to go around your tummy. This will make your moving around easier and make you feel safe. 7. Have lots of pillows ready for you to come home to (they help you sleep and keep you up right!!) 8. Keep moving. I know it is hard, but walking is the best. 9. Bring your meds with you. Even if they say dont worry, bring them. I did and was glad as they didnt have the same b.c pill that I had. OK!! TMI??? Good luck and feel free to email with any questions and I will try to help! Sarah G. 2/16/04 -147

Hey There Rachella. I just got home and I spent Thursday and Friday, I was supposed to stay in till Saturday, but I begged. ( My Dh is a paramedic, they figured I was in good hands )This is what I used. toothbrush toothpaste face wipes to freshen up flushable feminine wipes chapstick I use Mentholatum ice fresh undies I even took shorts I wore those under the hospital gown.. They did put some non-slip socks on me, I brought slippers but never used them. I never used a robe, I thought what the hell, but they also put another gown on me the opposite way when I was walking. Tracy... OMG!!!! Take your favorite pillow.. I would of died without it.

Wow! Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions! I have made a list of things that I need to take with me and a list of things that I need to pick up before surgery. Bowel prep - that does not sound fun. So far there has been no mention of that but I am sure it will be mentioned shortly! UGH! I know it may seem silly to ask but - what is Dh (darling hubby?? ) I have seen is posted a few times and was wondering.......? Also, my hubby wants to know if he should stay with me while I am in the hospital or not. (We are 3 hours away and he has to take off from work and stay in a hotel) I told him that I will probably be sleeping a lot and most likely will not need him there (just moral support) so I told him he might as well work for the couple of days I am in the hospital - since he has to take some time off and we could use the $$$ - although I would like him to be there. Still undecided. Still waiting to hear from Dr. T's office on my evaluation and time for the education class. I will need all of the last minute instructions as well (I am sure it will include a bowel prep!) Did you have to go on a liquid diet beforehand? If so, for how long? Were you able to lose weight before surgery? That is sooo hard! Isn't that why we are having the surgery??? Okay - thanks again to everyone for you kind thoughts and wonderful suggetions for me. I will keep posting and reading posts until surgery. I will post as soon as possible after surgery for updates!! Rachella

About the bowel prep... YUCK!!!!!!! It felt like I had the stomach flu. I was unhappy with it. Just another small part... Your Hubby... Well, I would suggest he stay till you came out of surgery and he could kiss you and tell you hi. Ivan went home and came back frequently ( wel live 28 miles away ) I would of really never missed him too much. I was so bombed on morphine and what not. I could barely carry on conversations. So.. it is totally up to you but for as long as I was in, Ivan wasn't missed to awful much. T....

My husband had the same surgery 3 weeks before I did and only came to the hospital a couple of times and I sent him home after a few minutes. I am not someone who likes visitors when I don't feel well and I asked a few friends not to stop in and see me when they called, but you might be different. What do you want your husband to do, take the days off and stay with you or come to the hospital when you get out and help you during the weekend when you are in the hotel. You can live without the income for a couple of days if you prefer your family close by. Maryanne

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I really appreciate it. I am getting more and more nervous as the big (no pun intended) date approaches. I am still waiting to find out if I am able to have my evaluation on the same day as my pre-op stuff. It would make it so much easier on me if I can. I don't want to have to drive another 3 hours to get there if not. Hopefully I will have an answer this week. I hope everyone is doing well. Rachella